For the best of both worlds look at Makita BO6040:
http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=315

etakk7

05-21-2009, 11:24 AM

I've got the Makita 9227C rotary. When I bought it years ago, it was down to the Dewalt or the Makita. Both around the same price. I went with the Makita because I liked the support handle that arched over the unit rather than the stick out - side handle for your other hand that the Dewalt has.

flipper

05-21-2009, 11:37 AM

Depends on how much you want to spend

shepherd

05-21-2009, 11:51 AM

Which type you get depends on what you need it for. For normal waxing and light polishing, a random orbital may work for you. If you have some oxidation in your gel coat that you want to polish out, you're going to need a circular (rotary) buffer.

Don't waste your money on those $200+ tools. This one works just as good and will only set you back $80: http://www.properboatcare.com/veprcipo.html. It's what I used to buff out my badly faded old '90 PS190 and it worked great.

flipper

05-21-2009, 12:12 PM

I got one from sears for under $100, works great for me.

Sodar

05-21-2009, 12:25 PM

Makita for a circular for aggressive polishing and oxidation removal.

Porter Cable 7424 for an orbital for light polish and waxing.

If I had some serious $$$$ to dump on a polisher, I would go with a Cyclo (http://www.cyclotoolmakers.com/polishers.php)... top of the line!

nmcjr

05-21-2009, 12:26 PM

I second the vector pro from the proper boat care link above--also I recommend the gel coat labs products from the same site. The vector is surely not as good as the DeWalt's and Makita's referenced above, but if like me you will not use it very often I think it will hold up to "recreational" use. It seems well built and fine for the home user.

That said, if the gelcoat is still pretty glossy, you may be able to get away with the porter cable and the gelcoat labs "one-step"--it combines a micro polish and sealant and is what i used this year with great results.

So, as stated above, it really depends on the condition of you gelcoat. If you call properboatcare, they can give you guidance on how to proceed, they are very helpful.

sand2snow22

05-21-2009, 12:39 PM

X 2 what Sodar said. I got a cheap one like the Vector at a local car parts store for $60. It works great with compound and polish. Use the Porter Cable for wax!

uncleboo

05-23-2009, 12:42 AM

I bought the porter cable 7424...it is great. I got it from autogeek, you can spend some serious jack on all of the pads, waxes, etc.